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Compiled Lineages: James Lafayette Tarver, 1836-1914
Mississippi > Texas
Compiled Genealogy -
I urge you to confirm undocumented details.
Much appreciation to Bill Hart <BillDHart@aol.com> and Margyth Schaffer <mshaffer@ptialaska.net> for providing from their files supporting documents and research notes, of great assistance in compiling the following document.
Generation No. 1
1. JAMES LAFAYETTE3 TARVER (BENJAMIN2, THOMAS1)1,2 was born July 1836 in Kosciusko, Madison County, Mississippi.3 He was the son of Benjamin Tarver2 and Mary Ann Sanders, the grandson of Judith "Judy" Cockerham and Thomas or Benjamin Tarver.1 (Note: You may click on any of the small thumbnail photos on this page to view its larger original. Use the BACK option on your browser to return to this page.)
In her application for pension, James Tarver's widow, JULIA VIRGINIA SANDERS,4 states that he died on February 2nd, 1914 in Sanderson, Terrell County, Texas, and that they had married the 2nd of September 1860 in Upshur County, Texas.4 James L. is buried in the Sanderson, Texas Cemetery. Tarver researcher Bill Hart offers some evidence supporting Albert Perry Sanders as the father of Julia Sanders, but notes more proof is needed.5  Julia Virginia was 19 when she married James Lafayette Tarver, and 73 when she filed for the pension on the 14th of March 1914. In her pension application, Julia V. Sanders Tarver states she was born in Louisiana,4 but has lived in Texas for 62 years (since age 11). This would put her birthdate at about 1841. However, the 1900 Pecos County, Texas Census (E.D.65, Sheet 10, Line 9), contradicts Julia's affidavit, listing her birth as Nov.1846 in Alabama. The thumbnail image to the right is of her pension application, and may be read by clicking on the image with your mouse. Use the BACK menu option on your browser to return to this page.
According to her daughter, Emma Tarver Simpson, Julia Sanders Tarver died November 28, 1927 in Seagraves, Gaines County, Texas.6
James Tarver had been married before, but his first wife's name is not yet known. By his first wife, he had two daughters: Louisiana Tarver and Mary Ann Tarver.
Notes for JAMES LAFAYETTE TARVER:
 See also: Benjamin Tarver Estate, Amite County, Mississippi, Case 4487, File 186 (click on image to right) & Letters of Administration of Amite Co., Mississippi, p. 338, dated 25 Aug 1845, infants of Benjamin Tarver deceased, Lott Tarver, their guardian. Also, 1850 Attala County, Mississippi Census, twp 13 R 8 E, roll M432_368, p. 157, lns 6-10, hh 978-980, Mary Tarver household.
James Tarver removed to Coffeeville, Upshur County, Texas ca. 1855-57, where he ran the  mercantile store at Coffeeville, occasionally traveling to New Orleans, Louisiana to purchase inventory for his store. Coffeeville is in the timber region of the East Texas, in the northeastern part of Upshur County, not far from where I presently live. Coffeeville originally was settled by southern plantation owners, and named for early settlers, name of Coffee.
 In 1860, James Tarver married his wife, Julia Virginia Sanders who had come to Upshur County, Texas from Mississippi in 1852.4 In addition to the Coffeeville store, James Lafayette operated a ferry known as Tarver's Ferry. Tarver's Ferry is located about 14 miles northeast of Gilmer on Highway 155 in Upshur County, Texas.
A Texas Historical Marker was placed at the site of the ferry in 1968. The marker is entitled Tarver's Ferry, measures 18" X 28", and reads:
TARVER'S FERRY
 Once located at a strategic crossing of Big Cypress Creek,7 this pioneer ferry transported settlers into Texas through populous Jefferson, on Big Cypress Bayou. Those going to the interior of Texas often came by horse or oxen, stopping for provisions at nearby town of Coffeeville. The ferry operator probably was James L. Tarver, who lived on Coffeeville Road, 1860's. Many years before, the Caddo Indians forded stream at this same point in their travels. By 1867 a bridge was built and the ferry was no longer needed. (Click on thumbnail for larger view of Tarver's Ferry Historical Marker at Upshur County, Texas. Use the BACK button on your browser to return to this page.)
From the Texas Historical Commission Library (at Austin) I have received a copy of the application to the state highway department for the historical marker, submitted on March 5, 1968. With the application is a narrative detailing the history of land ownership, the ferry and the old iron bridge, which also was called Tarver's Ferry Bridge. Reference to a Corp of Engineers map, which is not in my possession, refers to "Old Coffeeville or Tarver's Ferry Road."
The marker appears to have won an award. Typed at the very top of the application form is the following: "Millard C. Cope Award - Best Program of work -- 1967 - (1/2 - $400) Design 'A' 18"X28" $200." There also is a handwritten notation indicating that the award was shared with a marker at Galveston, Texas.
In 1998, my mother and I visited the landing where  Tarver's Ferry and Tarver's Bridge were located. At that time, we photographed Tarver's landing and the Tarver's Ferry historical marker. The photo to the right is of the landing where James Lafayette operated the ferry. My mother, Adina Tarver Cirilo, is in the foreground of the photo. Click on the photo to view a larger image of the landing. Use the BACK button on your browser to return to this page.
The last Upshur County census on which James Lafayette Tarver and family appear was in 1870. (See Upshur Co., Texas, twp Calloway, 4th Precinct, p. 133, J L Tarver household.)
James Lafayette Tarver was a 3rd degree Mason and carried with him a letter of recommendation from the Masonic Lodge in Coffeeville when he removed to Redbud, Falls County,  Texas in the summer of 1872, where he and his family lived for about two years. His Masonic records indicate he had been initiated into Herchell Lodge #139 in Coffeeville,  Texas on 7 December 1867, served as treasurer in 1871 and was demitted on 20 February 1875. He was a Charter Mason of the San Saba Lodge (1882), where received the Diploma of the Oriental Order of the Palm and Shell. He served as treasurer for San Saba Lodge #555 in 1883, 87, 88, 90, and 1892 through 1895. He was a Junior Deacon in 1883, and a Tiler in 1886 & 1891. He was demitted to Sanderson Lodge #988 in August 1901. His Masonic Apron has been restored and is owned by Tarver researcher, Bill Hart.8 (Click on either image for larger view.)
With his brother, Albert G. Tarver, James Tarver purchased, for the sum of $640, a tract of 320 acres of land, more or less, in McCulloch, Texas, from T.A. and his wife, Mary L. Burns of Hood County, Texas (one acre reserved for a school).  According to the deed of sale, the property was situated on south bank of the San Saba. The property was transferred to Albert G., James L. and Julia V. Tarver on January 6th, 1877, with James L. signing for his brother, Albert. The deed was filed for registration on March 31st, and recorded on the 4th of April 1877 by Thomas Singer, Clerk of Court for McCullough County, Texas.9 The image to the right is of the McCulloch County Courthouse, completed in 1899 and designated as a Texas Historic Landmark (click on photo for larger image).
A year later, in 1878, James ran for sheriff of McCulloch County, Texas. The brethren of the Masonic Lodge of Coffeeville sent a letter to George Washington Simpson attesting to James L.'s character and recommending him for the office. In 1880, he is enumerated on the Camp San Saba, McCulloch County, Texas census as a laborer, age 44 (his brother, Albert G. is listed as a machinist, age 48).10
Camp San Saba, McCulloch Co., Texas
FHL film no. 1255317, NARA roll no. T9_1317, p. 548A
J. L. TARVER, head, M, marr, wht, 43, laborer, MS -- --
J. V. TARVER, wife, F, marr, wht, 38, keeps house, LA NC ---
A. B. TARVER, son, M, single, wht, 19, at school, TX MS LA
M. B. TARVER, dau, F, single, wht, 12, at school, TX MS LA
C. TARVER, son, M, single, wht, 9, at school, TX MS LA
P. TARVER, son, M, single, wht, 7, TX MS LA
J. TARVER, son, M, single, wht, 5, TX MS LA
L. TARVER, dau, F, single, wht, 3, TX MS LA
U. TARVER, dau, F, single, wht, 1M, TX MS LA
 James was still living there nearly a decade later, when he was appointed postmaster of Camp San Saba on the 16th of December 1889, with his bond executed on the 4th of January 1890. A larger image of the post office appointment available by clicking on image. As usual, use the BACK button on your browser to return to this page.
James Lafayette Tarver and his wife, Virginia, are enumerated on the 1900 Pecos County, Texas Census (E.D.65, Sheet 10, Line 9), with five of their children: Claude T. born February 1871, Paul C. born March 1873, James born March 1876, May born April 1880, and Emma born March 1883. According to the census, all of these children were born in Texas. James, Sr. birth was given as Mississippi in 1836; Julia's (wife) was Nov.1846 in Alabama. By June 1905 he and his family had moved to Free, Terrell County, Texas.11
1900 Pecos Co., Texas ED 65, p. 10, lns 9-15
9. James L Tarver, head, 1836, Mississippi
10. Julia E. Tarver, wife, Nov. 1846, Alabama
11. Claude T. Tarver, son, Feb 1871, TX
12. Paul C. Tarver, son, March 1873, TX
13. James Tarver, son, March 1876, TX
14. May Tarver, dau, April 1880, TX
15. Emma Tarver, dau, March 1883, TX
James L. Tarver was a civil war veteran, having enlisted in the Confederacy on  06 May 1862 with Co.H, 18th Texas Volunteer Infantry. He served in Walker's Texas Division, Ochiltree's Regiment and Dave Culberson's Company. According to his Confederate Pension Application, he was discharged on August 18th, 1865 after three and one half years of service, having served the duration of the war. More about James Tarver's service and Walker's Division is available on this Web site in the military records section of our military records section. Click here to go there.
At the time of his pension application, James Tarver had been living at Fort Stockton, Pecos County, Texas for about two months, and was dependent upon his children, his only property being a pair of horses and a wagon. In his application, James L. states that he is "nearly 63 years" of age, "sixty three years old in this month, . . . feeble from age and hardships," suffering from rheumatism caused by hardships in the war and age. The doctor attesting to his application, Homer Powers, MD, added that he also was disabled by "an aggravated curvature of the spine." On 14 July 1899, Captain Thomas W. Stephens, of Temple, Bell County, Texas, signed a deposition in support of James Lafayette Tarver's application for pension, and Tarver's application was approved on the 11th of October 1899. On June 20th, 1911, a second physician, Dr. S.B. Ross, of Terrell County, Texas, signed another affidavit supporting James L.'s pension application. At this time, James Tarver was totally disabled from senility, and unable to perform any work. According to this second application, Tarver, now 73 years of age, had been living in Free, Terrell County for the previous five years. He says he had lived in Texas for 49 years. The second application, signed by Tarver on January 4th, 1910, was witnessed by F.M. McMahon and Paul Tarver on January 8th. James Lafayette Tarver completed his original application for pension in Pecos County, Texas on 5 July 1899, making his birthday, according to his signed affidavit, sometime in July 1836, after the fifth of the month, but prior to the end of the month.3
Free, Texas was on Independence Canyon in northwestern Terrell County. It began in 1900, before Terrell County was created from Pecos County, as a post office and trading point for local ranchers. The first post office was on the Mansfield ranch in the Tarver home; James Lafayette Tarver's son, Paul Tarver, drove the mail hack twice a week. 12
Other items of note are James Tarver's penchant for purchasing tracts of land by mail order and his fondness of firearms.   Warranty deeds, and correspondence primarily between James L. Tarver and the Tax Collectors' respective offices, show his mail order purchases included property in California (Fresno County), Colorado (Akron and Washington Counties), Florida (Cove and Marion Counties); stock in a gold mine in Gilpin County, Colorado (40 miles from Denver) and capital stock in Granite Mountain Oil Company of St. Louis, Missouri.  Researcher Bill Hart writes that his guns included a pair of dueling Derringer pistols, a 7-foot buffalo gun, a Sharp rifle and a Needle gun. His guns are distributed among his descendants: Bill Hart of Lubbock, Texas (derringer), J.L. Tarver of Fort Worth (buffalo gun), and descendants of Wesley Pearl Allen (Needle gun), who died on March 06, 1993, in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona. (As usual, click on the photos for a larger view.)
Notes for JULIA SANDERS TARVER:
The following comments by Bill Hart:
I just finished working on the old humpback trunk that Julia Virginia Tarver had when she  left Coffeeville in a covered wagon driving a team of 8 oxen. It was in bad shape but all the hardware and embossed tin was there. I rebuilt it. Brass platted all hardware and embossed tin, new straps, refinished all the staves, and replaced the old rusted flat tin with new, painting it almond. Used brass screws and it came out looking like a treasure chest. Real proud of this heirloom.
Children of JAMES TARVER and [UNKNOWN] are:
i. LOUISIANA4 TARVER, b. 1855.
ii. MARY ANN TARVER, b. 1856.
Children of JAMES TARVER and JULIA SANDERS are:
iii. ALBERT BENJAMIN4 TARVER, b. 1861.
Notes for ALBERT TARVER:
Albert Tarver appears in the 1880 McCulloch Co., Texas census in his father's household: A. B. TARVER, son, M, single, wht, 19, at school, TX MS LA.
 iv. MARTHA B. "MATTIE" TARVER, b. ca 1864, in Texas. The thumbnail photo to left is of Martha Tarver as an infant with her mother, Julia V. Sanders Tarver. The photograph was taken in 1864 and was carried the last year of the Civil War by James L. Tarver, while serving in the Confederate Army. He carried it in a photo box, 3 1/4" X 3 3/4" X 7/8". This box, owned by researcher Bill Hart, is Union Army issue, and likely acquired after one of the battles in which James Tarver fought. Martha B Tarver appeared in the 1880 McCulloch Co., Texas census in her father's household: M. B. TARVER, dau, F, single, wht, 12, at school, TX MS LA
v. CLAUDE THOMAS TARVER,11 b. February 27, 1871, Upshur Co., Texas; d. November 05, 1941, Oakland, California; m. MARGOURETTE "MAGGIE" BELLE WILLIAMS, San Angelo, Texas.
Notes for CLAUDE THOMAS TARVER:
Claude Tarver appears in the 1880 McCulloch Co., Texas census and in the 1900 Pecos Co., Texas, both times in his father's household. 1880: C. TARVER, son, M, single, wht, 9, at school, TX MS LA; 1900: Claude T. b. Feb.1871, TX.
Claude Thomas Tarver was, according to his death certificate, a son of James Lafayette Tarver. Claude was born Feb 27, 1871 in Upshur County, Texas, later moved to Glendale, Maricopa County, Arizona, and finally died in Oakland, California on Nov 5, 1941. Cause of Death: carcinoma of the stomach (cancer), metastasis to liver. Claude Tarver is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery just outside of Oakland, California.
The following comments by Barbara O'Leary <obarb@netscape.net>:
My grandfather, Claude Thomas Tarver, had six living children. I ... mentioned his son, Robert, who was the only son but he also had five daughters. His other children were Lena Ethel Tarver, Julia Virginia Tarver, Robert Tarver, Mabel Mozelle Tarver, Emma Lee Tarver (my mother) and Alice Nora Tarver.
iv. PAUL C. TARVER,11 b. March 1873, in Texas.11
Notes for PAUL TARVER:
Paul Tarver appears in the 1880 McCulloch Co., Texas census and in the 1900 Pecos Co., Texas, both times in his father's household. 1880: P. TARVER, son, M, single, wht, 7, TX MS LA; 1900: Paul C. b. March 1873, TX.
FREE, TEXAS.
Free was on Independence Canyon in northwestern Terrell County. It began in 1900, before Terrell County was created from Pecos County, as a post office and trading point for local ranchers.
 The first post office was on the Mansfield ranch in the TARVER home; PAUL TARVER drove the mail hack twice a week. The post office was later moved to the Wakefield home and eventually to the Edwards Ranch, where Frank Edwards was postmaster. Edwards also ran a small store for those who came for their mail.
After automobiles came into use between 1910 and 1920, local ranchers drove into larger towns for supplies and mail, and the post office at Free was no longer needed. It closed in 1921, and the small community, which was named for the surrounding open landscape, was soon abandoned.
SOURCE: The New Texas Handbook, a 6-volume encyclopedia on Texas history. Reference: Terrell County Heritage Commission, Terrell County, Texas (San Angelo: Anchor, 1978).
vii. JAMES LAFAYETTE "JIM" TARVER, JR.,11 b. March 09, 1875, in Camp San Saba, Texas.13
Notes for JAMES TARVER, JR.:
James can be found in the Social Security Death Index. SSDI: Tarver, James Lafayette, Birth Date: 9 Mar 1875, Ethnicity: W, Birth Place: City/County: Val Verde, State: Texas.
The following comments by Bill Hart:
Uncle  Jim Tarver (Jr.) was born in 1875 in Camp San Saba, Texas. He was known to this author as owning fine horses and liked to show them off. He tried his hand as a cowboy on ranches in the Big Bend area. His brothers Claude and Paul worked on ranches in this area and were the deciding factor for the family to move to Free, Texas. J.L. Tarver, Sr. had a small ranch here.
His registered brand was the Z Cross. My mother was born in Free, Texas in 1907 and was the deciding factor for Grand-dad Simpson to move to Gail, Texas where they had a school closer than twenty miles. At the time they lived in Free, Texas the Apache Indians were still in the area moving in and out. Fort Davis and Fort Stockton were full with Union troops.
J.L. Tarver hunted the buffalo and he had a long range Buffalo gun that you had to prop the stock against something sturdy before firing. This author last knew of it being in the home of Pearl Allen.
In enlarging this photo I noticed on the front of his boots is sewn the Lone Star of Texas. (Photo upper right.)
Uncle Jim's Civil war Sharpes rifle is in the home of J.L. Tarver, IV in Grand Prairie, Texas. This information was given to me by his mother.
viii. LUCINDA ELIZABETH "CINDY" TARVER, b. November 16, 1877, Sanderson, Terrell County, Texas1415; d. October 10, 1957, Tucson, Pima Co., Arizona16; m. WILLIAM D. "WINDY BILL" ALLEN15, January 17, 1895, Llano County, Texas; b. February 25, 1869, Texas; d. October 03, 1932, Tucson, Pima Co., Arizona. (Click on inline photograph of page from Lucinda Tarver Allen Family Bible below to confirm dates.)15
Notes for LUCINDA ELIZABETH "CINDY" TARVER:
The following comments by Margyth Shaffer:
 The Tarver girls in the picture to the right are (written on the back of the picture: left to right): May Tarver, Lucinda Elizabeth Tarver, and Emma Lee Tarver. Emma Lee Tarver Simpson would always make a point that Cindy Tarver Allen was her best friend. I think this picture clearly states why. The picture was probably taken in Brady, Texas. I suspect that Cindy was keeper of the younger children; May, J.L. (Jr.) and Emma Lee. (Click on the photo to view a larger image of the Tarver girls. Use the BACK button on your browser to return to this page.) Grandmother Allen was special in her own right and made the "whitest soap in the country."
Notes for WILLIAM D. "WINDY BILL" ALLEN:
The following comments by Margyth Shaffer:
 There is some question about William D. Allen Sr.'s name. Dan Allen (Jr.) was heard several times by daughters Lou Anne and Margyth arguing with his mother insisting that he was NOT a Junior. Dan said his father had told him his name was Daniel Dee (D) Allen, he was commonly known as "Windy Bill." We are not certain whether he meant that his name was Dee or simply the initial D. This was never seen written down and Grandfather Allen died shortly after Lou Anne was born.
  Grandmother, Lucinda Tarver Allen, clearly wrote in the family bible that her husband was Sr. and the son was Jr. So, whether or not it was so, it was her intention to name her son after her husband. We shall never know for certain since there are no clear birth records for that period of time. One thing that is documented is that Grandfather was commonly known as "Windy Bill." A book by Steward Edward White called Arizona Nights contains several of the wonderful whoppers that earned Windy Bill his name. He was well loved by all who knew him including those he played pranks on.
The two photos above are of Lucinda Tarver Allen, contributed by Margyth Shaffer. The first photo of young Lucinda Tarver was taken near Wilcox, Arizona in 1903 at the O.T. Ranch. The photo of the elderly Lucinda Tarver Allen was taken in the 1950's. (Click on the photos to view larger images of Lucinda Tarver. Use the BACK button on your browser to return to this page.)
ix. MAY TARVER,11 b. April 1880,in Texas.11
Notes for MAY "CINDY" TARVER:
See notes above on sister, Lucinda Elizabeth, for photo of May Tarver. May was enumerated on the 1880 and the 1900 census in her father's household. 1880: M TARVER, dau, F, single, wht, 1M, TX MS LA, 1900: May b. April 1880, TX.
x. EMMA LEE TARVER,11 b. March 12, 1883, in Texas; d. September 10, 1970; m. RICHARD PINKIE "BABE" SIMPSON, May 23, 1906; b. September 30, 1878; d. May 21, 1966.5
Notes for EMMA LEE "CINDY" TARVER:
See notes above on sister, Lucinda Elizabeth, for photo of Emma Lee Tarver. Emma was enumerated on the 1900 census in her father's household. 1900: Emma b. March 1883, TX. There were two known children of her marriage with Richard Simpson, both daughters: Alyce Mae Simpson, b. Sep 08, 1907 (Bill Hart's mother.), and Kathryn Simpson, b. Mar 01, 1923
Endnotes
- Kauffman, Nell Sheppard. Nell Kaufman Family Group Sheets, Research Papers, (Rt.4 Box 207, Georgetown, Texas, October 1985). In possession of author, ldc. Also, John Cockerham, Barnwell District SC - Amite County MS, and His Descendants (A Progress Report), by Nell Kaufman (Copy-Right, Inc, Georgetown, Texas; 1987). Kauffman gives Thomas as the given name of Judith Cockerham's husband. Others give Benjamin and still others give Thomas Benjamin. We are working to confirm his identity with greater certainty.
- Probate records: Benjamin Tarver, Amite County, Mississippi, File 4487. Lott Tarver, Administrator. (File copied 8 July 1999 by author, ldc).
- Application of Indigent Soldier of the Confederacy for Pension. Copy in possession of author, ldc. On 14 July 1899, Thomas W. Stephens, of Temple, Bell County, Texas, signed a deposition in support of James Lafayette Tarver's application for pension. Thomas Stephens indicated that he had served with James Lafayette Tarver, each of them "going into the war at the same time and serving the entire term of the war." Stephens stated he had entered the army as a private, and afterwards was made Captain of the company, in which capacity he served until the end of the war, serving in that capacity for about two years. "The said Tarver," he said, "when I knew him had a rather full face and heavy broad shoulders. I do not remember any other peculiarity that person would notice particularly except the full face and broad shoulders. I suppose he weighed at the time I knew him, about one hundred and eighty five or one hundred and ninety pounds." Copy in possession of author, ldc.
- Widow's Application for a Pension, 26934, sworn to on the 14th of March 1914 in Lamesa, Dawson County, Texas. After James Lafayette Tarver's death in 1914, his wife, Julia Virginia Sanders, moved to Lamesa, Texas where she lived with her daughter, Emma Tarver Simpson. Witness signatures on the pension application are G.W. Simpson and R.P. Simpson (son-in-law, Richard Pinkie Simpson, husband to Emma Tarver). Copy in possession of author, ldc.
- Hart, Bill <BillDHart@aol.com>, Bill Hart personal research, documents, letters; 4624 30th Street, Lubbock Texas 79410, Fax (806) 799-4202; 1998, 1999.
- Application for Mortuary Warrant, filed by daughter, Mrs. R.P. Simpson, on the 28th of November 1927, at Seagraves, Gaines County, Texas, and sworn to by undertaker B.D. O'Neal. Julia Virginia Tarver died, according to the affidavit, of Broncho-Pneumonia on the 28th of October, attended by physician A.L. Bradford at Seagraves.
- Jefferson is a small town in northeast Texas not far from Shreveport Louisiana and Texarkana Texas (and/or Arkansas). The Big Cypress Bayou lazily winds its way through the southern side of town. Until the mid 1870's, however, Jefferson was one of the busiest cities in the Southwest. It was the fifth largest city, and the largest and farthest inland port in Texas. Stearnwheel steamboats snaked their way up the then quite large Big Cypress Bayou from Shreveport, New Orleans and other locations along the Mississippi River. Up to fifteen or more steamboats lined the docks as Jefferson became a port second in Texas only to Galveston. Cotton and timber were the main exports. The city's growth continued unabated during the Civil War as Jefferson was a major post for Confederate troops and served as a supply point for textiles and munitions vital to the Southern war effort. By 1872, over 200 steamboats a year were landing in Jefferson, carrying thousands of tons of cargo. About 1873, the Corp of Engineers made a crucial error in judgment. The Corps dynamited a logjam on Red River and the water level dropped to a point where navigation by steamboat was no longer possible. Jefferson's population, which had surpassed 30,000, quickly fell to 2,000. James L. Tarver and his family moved from Coffeeville to Redbud, Falls County, Texas in the summer of 1872.
- Masonic Records of James Lafayette Tarver. Copies in possession of author, ldc; Resolutions of Sanderson OES Chapter No.136, (dated Feb 6, 1914). Copy in possession of author, ldc. Correspondence and Research Notes of Bill Hart (4624 30th Street, Lubbock Texas 79410), email <BillDHart@aol.com>. See following transcription of Upshur County Herschel Lodge No.139 Masonic letter supporting J.L. Tarver's election to sheriff of McCulloch Co., Texas:
Coffeeville Upshur. July 1st 1872. To all to whom this may come: In view of [illegible] have for our friend and neighbor Mr. J.L. Tarver, we cheerfully recommend him to the favorable consideration of all to whom this may come, and by his Masonic Brethren, marked as per degree, he is a worthy member of Herschel Lodge No.139 located at this place. Names [signatures]: H.W. Collins MM, O.C. Roberts MM, H.Campbell EA, W.A. Harrison (MD), L.Y. Frederick, E.J. Glover PM, John H. Newbery MM, A. Johnson MM, D.W. Gordon, MM, P.P. Melton, W.A. Collier MM, J.M. Spratt MM. John Frederick, C.Y. Love, R.L. McCLung MM. Isaac Newbery, W.A. Spratt, J.L. Cheatham, T.J. McCard? (EP), H.C. Cemliffe, MM, H.M. Marler MM. M.W. Taylor MM, L.H. McCain MM, Isaac M. Brown MM. By order of the MM, H.C. Cemaffe Scoly. Herschel Lodge No.139, Coffeeville, Texas AFAM, July 2nd 1872.
- Land Records, Bk.1, Pp.307-308. Copy in possession of author, ldc.
- Census records: Camp San Saba, McCulloch County, Texas, 1880. Albert G. Tarver, machinist, age 48, wife Sarah L. (42), Mark (22), James E. (13), and Thomas A. (11), brother James L. Tarver, laborer (44).
- Census records: Pecos County, Texas, 1900, E.D.65, Sheet 10, Line 9. The southern border of Pecos County is marked by the Rio Grande River. Pecos County was created from El Paso County on 3 May 1871, and began operation in 1875. County records -- deeds, marriages, probates, and district court minutes -- from 1875 are available. Some of these records have been microfilmed. Records prior to 1875 may be found in the counties that contained this area of western Texas, Bexar and El Paso Counties.
- The New Texas Handbook, a 6-volume encyclopedia on Texas history. References follow. Terrell County Heritage Commission, Terrell County, Texas (San Angelo: Anchor, 1978).
- Civilian registration cards, (WWI draft registration cards completed in 1917-1918), Gives March 09, 1875 as birthdate, but 1990 Pecos County, Texas Census says March 1876.
- Shaffer, Margee. Margyth Shaffer personal research, documents, letters, (1222 Water Street, Ketchikan, Alaska 99901 Email <mshaffer@ptialaska.net >; Ph. 907.247.1450, Correspondence with author, ldc, 1998, 1999). Reference Hospital Birth certificate from Northwest Texas Hospital, in possession of Margee Shaffer.
- Bible Records: Lucinda Tarver Allen Family Bible, (Bible owned by Margee Shaffer. Copy of page recording births in possession of author, ldc). See inline photo of Lucinda Allen Tarver Family Bible.
- Shaffer, Margee. Reference "Arizona Daily Star."
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